A man with Crohn’s Disease and dyspraxia is undertaking a charity skydive to raise awareness and funds for people with the conditions.

Jake Borrett, 23, from Chiswell Green, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 13 and with dyspraxia at the age of 18. He will complete a tandem skydive on Thursday, June 28, exactly nine years after his dad also completed a skydive in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

Jake, who attended Verulam School and the University of Hertfordshire, aims to raise £800; £400 each for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and the Dyspraxia Foundation.

He said: “I was inspired to do a skydive because my dad did one before he transferred into a nursing home because of his MS.

“I’ve gone through a lot because I was bullied in secondary school, I’ve had hospital admissions and flare ups and I had surgery for my Crohn’s in 2010, and I had further complications with mental health. I also think my Crohn’s disease and dyspraxia have made me a determined and creative individual.”

Jake Borrett.

Both charities have supported Jake since his diagnosis, and he was given the ‘Matthew Hunt Award’ for outstanding achievement in raising awareness of dyspraxia in June 2017. Crohn’s and Colitis UK is based in St Albans, while the Dyspraxia Foundation is also based locally in Hitchin.

Jake said: “They supported me and both charities support thousands of people in the UK that live with both hidden disabilities.

“They both make it their mission to raise awareness and raise understanding of the conditions in schools and universities, the workplace, hospitals and in the health profession. “It’s my way of giving back and saying thanks to them.”

Jake has his own writing blog, and regularly reads his own poetry and raises awareness of hidden disabilities and mental health conditions on Radio Verulam.

Jake Borrett.

When asked if he was nervous about the skydive, he said: “I’ve never been scared of heights like other members of my family, but I’ll be a bit nervous on the day. I’ve been looking forward to this for nine years.”

To donate to Jake, go to https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/jakeborrett

Recently we, as a family (minus two of the kids), visited The Lodge RSPB reserve in Sandy, Bedfordshire. I had never been before, which is perhaps amiss of me as a birdwatcher as it is the headquarters of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds or RSPB and only 45 minutes drive from home.